New Traffic Regulation Order proposals have been met with opposition from residents of Llanfair Road in Newtown, as a result of a public consultation held between December 2022 and January 2023.

The proposals, put forward by Powys County Council, aimed to address issues of hazardous and obstructive parking across the town, with particular focus on improving traffic flow and increasing safety on Llanfair Road and School Lane by introducing new and additional waiting prohibitions.

In a decision to be made by Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, Cllr Jackie Charlton, a report indicates that the council received a total of ten objections to the proposals, with all objections relating to the additional waiting prohibition restrictions proposed along Llanfair Road and School Lane being submitted by residents of Llanfair Road.

The main concern raised by the objectors was the reduction in the available unrestricted locations along the highways where they could park their vehicles.

Cllr Pete Lewington, the county councillor for the area has suggested that the council should not introduce additional prohibition of waiting restrictions, as the real issue along Llanfair Road is the speed and the manner in which vehicles are driven along that road. He believes traffic calming measures such as speed humps and chicanes are required instead of additional waiting restrictions. However, observations have shown that some drivers increase their speed to pass the long line of vehicles often parked nose to tail along the entire length of Llanfair Road between the existing double yellow lines when no gaps have been left to permit vehicles to pass one another along this section of Llanfair Road.

Tony Caine, Traffic and Travel Manager for Powys County Council, responded that the purpose of the proposed traffic regulation is to impose waiting restrictions where observations have shown that drivers regularly park vehicles at locations at all times of the day which prevent the safe and free flow of traffic. He stated that the council has no obligation to provide on-street parking, and the primary function of a public highway is to enable the movement of traffic. Caine believes that the proposed waiting prohibitions will better address the needs of disabled persons and secure safer traffic movements.

The report stated that the objections have been carefully considered, and recommendations have been made to the Cabinet Member on how to proceed.

No objection or other representation was received from the Town Council with respect to the traffic Order proposal.